Blooming effort

With this year's National TidyTowns competition fast approaching, volunteers in Belturbet are putting the finishing touches to months of hard work to ensure the Erneside town is looking its very best.

In recent weeks, the dedicated TidyTowns committee has been busy repairing ageing street furniture, refreshing public spaces and tackling areas highlighted by competition adjudicators in previous years. Among the most noticeable improvements has been the replacement of flower boxes that had brightened the town for more than 15 years.

“They'd been here at least 15 years, so they needed a bit of work,” said volunteer Patsy McDonald, who built the new planters.

Patsy has also crafted a timber surround for the disused petrol pumps outside Gala on the Diamond. The pumps, a reminder of the former O'Reilly's garage that once operated in the town centre, had become something of an eyesore over the years.

“It was unsightly, so we had to build a special box to go around that,” he explained.

The latest projects form part of the committee's ongoing efforts to act on feedback received from TidyTowns judges.

“There is always a job doing up unsightly things. Trees needed attention and other areas needed attention as well,” adds fellow committee member Tony Prior.

While pleased with the progress, Tony said the group would welcome more helping hands.

“We could always do with a bit more help,” he said.

Volunteer Nicola Payne, who has lived in Belturbet for many years, said joining the committee was her way of giving something back to a town that had welcomed her.

“It's such a beautiful place, and the people make you feel very welcome, so it's my chance to give something back,” she told the Celt.

Tony also paid tribute to Bernard Little, who has maintained grassed areas around Belturbet for the past 26 years and is due to retire later this year.

“He has been a big help and does great work. We hope there will be someone capable of taking it on from him,” Tony said.

The committee's work extends well beyond the annual competition. In 2025, Belturbet TidyTowns secured a €2,000 grant from the Department of Rural and Community Development through the SuperValu National TidyTowns competition to support a range of enhancement projects.

Volunteers have also organised regular litter picks, including clean-ups around Barrack Lane and a Climate Action Week initiative that collected more than 35 bags of rubbish. The committee has partnered with Cavan County Council on climate action, footpath maintenance and sustainability projects, helping to keep Belturbet looking its best all year round.